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Heat beat Mavs, 99-95 behind 32 from Goran Dragic

The Miami Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks in a close affair, 99-95 led by Goran Dragic. In the battle between two of the worst teams in the league, the Slovenian point guard turned in one of his finest offensive games this season with 32 points.

Dragic was very efficient from the field going 11-of-15 and added six rebounds. Hassan Whiteside had a quiet night with 13 points and 8 rebounds. The Heat’s bench stepped up in this one with Tyler Johnson helping with 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting with two three-pointers.

Miami got the fast start leading 29-22 after the first quarter. But the Dallas Mavericks fought back in the second and outscored the Heat, 31-15 in the quarter. The Mavs were in control, 53-44 at halftime.

Great second half for Heat, Dragic

But Miami found their offensive rhythm back in the third quarter. They held the Mavs to 20 points and just 42 points the entire second half. Miami took over the lead early in the fourth but the Mavericks kept hanging around in the final minutes of the game.

Dion Waiters added 12 points for the Heat. Miami shot 47.1% from the field and outrebounded Dallas, 40-33.

With over two minutes to go, Dragic hit a three-pointer to give his team a comfortable 90-85 lead. The Mavericks never threatened after and the Heat got the win.

Miami has won back-to-back games after a four-game losing streak. They are still one of the worst teams in the league, the second worst team in the East with a 13-30 record. Meanwhile, the Mavs dropped to 14-28 overall and just 6-17 away from home.